KALISPELL, Montana (CNN) – Joe Biden joked Sunday that GOP nominee Sarah Palin should be held to the same standard as other candidates for the White House—except in one area where she’s clearly got the edge. “It's not whether Sarah Palin can aim an assault rifle and hit dead target - which she probably can, and I hope it's not me,” he joked at a campaign event in Montana.

Palin’s speech to the Republican National Convention was peppered with references to her rural Alaskan upbringing, including time spent fishing and snowmobiling.

But Biden said she needed to talk more about issues. At a media availability, Biden cited Palin’s noticeable absence from the Sunday morning talk shows earlier that day. Biden, Barack Obama and John McCain all gave sit-down interviews.

Biden said Palin should do the same.

“Somewhere along the line…she will start to stand before the nation and the public and you know, determine whether or not her views, her breadth of knowledge, her record, is one that people say ‘yeah I want that person as vice president, a heartbeat away from being president,’” Biden said.

He also disagreed with pundits who say he’ll have to approach with caution the upcoming vice presidential debate, saying “they’re in a time warp.” Biden and Palin will meet on October 2 at Washington University in St. Louis.

“It seems like the only people in the room that think that debating a woman is going to be fundamentally different are people who don’t hang around with smart women,” Biden said. “I mean, you know, the idea that I’ve not debated tough, smart women. Come to the Senate man. Take on Barbara Mikulski. Take on Olympia Snowe. You know, take on Dianne Feinstein. Take on Barbara Boxer. Take on you know, the list goes on.”

soundoff(173 Responses)

Alex Wong / Getty ImagesNYT: Alaska governor's son has an unexpected effect on her fortunes

I rest my case!

September 8, 2008 11:34 am at 11:34 am |

David, Silver Spring, MD

Why are the Republicans so afraid to let Palin face the media? It's not like she's some crazy Hollywood actress type who seems completely likable when she's on camera reading from a script but in real life is a vicious, nuttier-than-a-fruitcake egomaniac who thinks she is the center of the universe and can do no wrong.

Is it?

September 8, 2008 11:35 am at 11:35 am |

Tony

Palin will use anyone and anything to get what she wanst and most people are too ignorant to see it.

September 8, 2008 11:35 am at 11:35 am |

J

This election to choose the two most powerful people in the free world for the next four years, and McCain is relying on a gimmick to win this race! It's sad and desperate. Where was she during the sitdowns with Obama, Biden and McCain? I guess he's using the librarian look and sports background to pull in the men and the hockey mom gimmick to pull in the women.

Where does she stand on the issues affecting the war in Iraq, the economy, and education reform?

Also, what if Obama had a 17 year old daughter having a baby out of wedlock? How would we respond then?

September 8, 2008 11:37 am at 11:37 am |

Obama/Biden

If she wants to tout she is one of the guys with her NRA Membership, and moose hunting skills... THen she should take it like a guy instead of crying sexism and she shouldnt be hiding behind men not saying anything. Being coached is not pertaining to her opinions of the issues!! I dont want to see someone coached!! That isnt REAL!! I am not going to vote for a woman VP that cannot hold her own. IF your going to step in with the big dogs, you have to take it like a big dog. PERIOD!!

September 8, 2008 11:37 am at 11:37 am |

SS

57 more days and counting...(YAWN)

For all those pollsters out there, I think the Dems are just not picking up their phones anymore...

September 8, 2008 11:37 am at 11:37 am |

Alicia, Dallas, TX

Please, Biden is old washington, 35 years, he's SO much part of the good ole boys in washington its not even funny!

Obama claims to be about change, then why did he pick a 35 year washington veteran?

This ticket is not about change, it's the same old washington politics!

McCain/Palin '08!!!!

September 8, 2008 11:37 am at 11:37 am |

Bruce

During the debate, if She give one of the SILLY one line SLOGANs before you start your answer look at her questioningly and then look athe camera and say I thought this would be a time to bring your plans to the people of the Counrty they deserve to hear what you will do to make your CHANGE. They deserve better than a slogan. Then start to explain exactly what the difference is that you will bring. DO NOT LET HER GET AWAY WITH SOFT SILLY SLOGANS. Challenge every slogan she tries to use as an answer.

September 8, 2008 11:37 am at 11:37 am |

J from DC

We went to Iraq to disarm their government of WMD's
If the serge did not find the WMD's, How is it a success again???
Oil and War is all I hear form he republicans.
Housing Market Breakdown.

And the same administration that ignored this problem is taking it over. I guess more government intervention is the right answer after all.

Can someone say hypocrites...

September 8, 2008 11:39 am at 11:39 am |

zelda gross

my favorite line on NPR this am was palin saying something like "the other sides claim they will quote fight for you, and he's not going to say it so I will, there's only one man who has actually fought for you , and thats John McCain" True enough that he has fought for us and bless him for that.....but its also what he spends about 20% of every speech talking about....he won't say it...i was lauging to hard to breathe.

September 8, 2008 11:39 am at 11:39 am |

BK

I think people are going to impressed with Gov. Palin in the debates. She is much more knowledgable than the Obama cult give her credit for. Now that Obama is starting to lose in the polls he has to go and beg Hillary to help him. That just shows how arrogant he is. The Clintons don't owe Obama anything. She and Bill said what they had to say at the convention. Its Obama's election to lose and I hope he does!

September 8, 2008 11:39 am at 11:39 am |

Adam

KD:

He is pulling the underdog thing now so that when he stomps on her in the debate it will look even more amazing. It is a theatrical tactic and it works amazingly well. We all know that she doesn't stand a chance and he does too. He just wants the public to psychologically believe, even unconsciously, that he's not that great.

I like that he's being polite and respectful. Something the Republicans, my own party, could learn a thing or two about. They are driving my nuts and I'm voting Democrat this time around because of it. He jokes about her but he doesn't insult her.

September 8, 2008 11:39 am at 11:39 am |

MD

If she starts talking about her stand on issues, the charm factor will go away and the real truth about this ticket will come to light.

September 8, 2008 11:40 am at 11:40 am |

Enlightened Voter

Only in a Rethiglican America is a black man who is a Constitutional Law Scholar, who served 8 yrs as State Senator and 4 yrs as US Senator and served on the Foreign Relations Committee not ever considered ready to lead but a white evangelical ultra conservative woman, with a BA in Journalism and 19 mos as Governor considered ready on day one. BTW Barack, you are my hero for your community service and don't let trailor trash paliar tell you any different.

September 8, 2008 11:41 am at 11:41 am |

danel

So McCain/Palin is running on "Change" now? Whereas, the same people who works for Bush is running his campaign. Lobbyist are running his show where is the change? And to tell it with s straight face is amazing. Boy they are really a professional LIARS that they are.

September 8, 2008 11:41 am at 11:41 am |

Daeron

I can not understand why Dems should be dodging any questions about Palin. She is a candidate in a political forum. Her life and experience should be under scrutiny just like the guys. Every man in politics has their life under a microscope. Why should the "pitbull" be any different. I believe that once background and choices are off limits for discussion in politics, we are no longer the United States of America...we are China.

September 8, 2008 11:41 am at 11:41 am |

Done with Dems

CNN moderator...surprise us and let something other than liberal dribble in today. Uh oh, I see there's been a total count of 25 responses. Overload, overload!!!! Pull the plug.

Geez

September 8, 2008 11:41 am at 11:41 am |

ha

to "quit the praise you guys": by praising mccain and palin, obama and biden are doing something that the so-called Christian conservatives should have read in the Bible. the concept is called turning the other cheek. or more aptly, heaping hot coals on one's head. the idea is that if someone treats you unfairly or insults you, respectively, then you turn the other cheek and let them do it again. if you take is a step further, then you will instead turn around and praise the person who insulted you. in doing so, you show that you are unaffected by their attack. if they had any sort of conscience, then the attacker would feel ashamed and guilty after going after someone who didn't deserve it. all this to say, in my opinion obama and biden are showing more dignity and character by praising them than mccain and palin are showing by their hypocritical lies and touting of their so-called "values". if one is a Christian, one should be ashamed of the disgraceful conduct of mccain and especially palin.

September 8, 2008 11:41 am at 11:41 am |

pat C.

today hillary clinton needs to eat palin for lunch! hillary needs to tell the public why she did not want the vice president postion....she has been offered a much higher prestigeous position that will help her go as high as she wants to go with the democratic party. . if women ,not knowing policies but just voting for palin becuase she wears lipstick will harm hillary's chances of achieving her personal agenda.
women are not realizing it is still mcwar that will run the country and he has the ability of a snail to make important decisions for our country!

September 8, 2008 11:41 am at 11:41 am |

bij

CNN...please don't fall for the trick...please be "the most trusted name in news"....please don't show mrs sarah any special treatment....please be as bold as rick sanchez and campbell brown in your questioning about this woman...PLEASE! America needs to know whats up! Do it for the good of the people and not because you are afraid of the republican attack dogs...thx!

September 8, 2008 11:41 am at 11:41 am |

Deborah

I can hardly wait!

If the Liberal Left Wing and Liberal press are in a dizzy over just one speech, wait until the Major Interviews and the Debate on Oct. 2.

Governor Sarah Palin is the Real Deal and she has already rocked the Liberal World, over the next couple of weeks she's going to Change the Liberal World!

McCain/Palin-08-In a Landslide Victory-for All!

September 8, 2008 11:42 am at 11:42 am |

LT for Obama

I want to make a suggestion. The next time you watch Biden and he is talking about debating Palin, really look at his expression and his eyes. Do you really think he is going to give her a free ride? I think not.

September 8, 2008 11:42 am at 11:42 am |

Rebecca

Palin and the McCON camp are trying to use Palin's womanhood to her advantage. Now that is what I call SEXIST.

September 8, 2008 11:42 am at 11:42 am |

William, from Cali!

It comes down to this: Ither you are ready for a change in the "White House" and the direction which this Nation is going or you believe what the Republicans are "trying to sell you" and you buy it; and put another lemon in the garage..............

September 8, 2008 11:43 am at 11:43 am |

demwit

"and I hope it's not me,” he joked

I hate to tell you Biden but Obama probably has different hopes now that your 3 points behind McCain!!